Survey: Most U.S. workers rely on employers for health insurance

A new survey found that a vast majority of Americans get their health insurance through their employers and that close to half plan to do so in the next few years.

The survey, conducted by the National Business Group on Health and Hewitt Associates, found that 61 percent of U.S. workers currently get health insurance through their employers. However, only 47 percent say they will continue to do so over the next three to five years. Another 35 percent say that they would switch if public health care were available at a comparable or cheaper rate.

"Health care reform legislation will lead some employers to rethink their health benefits strategy, but employees overwhelmingly prefer and expect to see their employers continue to provide coverage in the future," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health.

The study also found 84 percent of workers understand that smart choices lead to good health and another 72 percent believe good health results from preventive care, but only 50 percent say they eat healthy and fewer exercise regularly.

Another study found that nearly one-third of employers, meanwhile, are facing fines because the health care they provide their employees is unaffordable.